How many times have you heard the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”? Researchers from NYU found that we make 11 major decisions about one another in the first seven seconds of meeting each other. How you present yourself plays a major role in how others evaluate you. Confidence, preparation and presentation make all the difference!
Someone famous once said it was all in the details - and
that is certainly true when job hunting. In any job market, details are
critical. A few key factors contribute to your positive first impression with
potential employers.
Resume
Presentation: Your
resume is often the first impression an employer has of you. On average,
Recruiters make initial decisions on resumes between the first 10 to 30 seconds
they see it. Here are some suggestions to make sure your resume gets noticed.
- Is your phone number correct? If not, potential employers will not be able to reach you. Also, if a potential employer were to call that phone number, would the voicemail message be professional and free of music, background noises, and easy to understand?
- If you have a nickname listed, is it professional? If not, use your real name.
- Does your email address look professional? You can always create another email account with a simple address.
- List employers in reverse chronological order, with the most recent employer first. Review your resume on a regular basis to ensure it is up to date. Make sure your employment dates are correct. Many potential employers reference your resume when submitting information for background checks. Make sure company names are listed correctly as well.
- Keep the information about your responsibilities and achievements factual and verifiable.
- Check spacing, fonts, word tenses, spelling and punctuation.
- If you have a stated objective on your resume, make sure it matches the position or types of positions you are applying to.
- Once your resume is finalized, ask a friend, family member, career center representative or professor to review it. Better yet, ask two people!
Meeting
the Potential Employer(s): Whether
your first encounter with a potential employer is at a career fair, other campus
event or during a phone interview, the same general tips apply.
- Career Fairs: When possible, research the potential employers you are interested in talking with ahead of time. Many times, a Recruiter may ask you, “What interests you in this company?” Best first impressions are made by those who have an answer. Do not answer a question with a question, “Tell me about your company?” Know what positions they have open and are recruiting for, and be prepared to discuss your interest in those openings. Ask about next steps, the application process, and how you can follow-up.
- Other Campus and Networking Events: Plan ahead to attend. If it is a potential employer you are serious about, don’t make plans to attend at the last minute, and don’t be late. Again, research is key. If the opportunity presents itself, ask well thought out and relevant questions.
Phone Interview: Many times, the first contact you may have with an employer is a phone interview, with a member of their Human Resources/Recruiting team. In this conversation, they will be looking for additional information about you, your background/experience and your interest in their company and their position(s). Be prepared for the conversation. Try to anticipate what potential questions they may ask. Be ready to talk about what the company does, why you are interested in a potential opportunity, and the specific position you applied to. Confidence is key, sell yourself!
Good luck and pay attention to those details - you never
get a second chance to make a first impression and a first impression can
greatly impact your career search.
